Brush rest and wiper for paint can



June 2l, 1960 E. L. KAPPEL BRUSH REST AND WIPER FOR PAINT CAN Filed June 9, 1958 4] INVENTOR :gril

ATTORNEY United States Patent O BRUSH REST AND WIPER FOR PAINT CAN Edwin L. Kappel, `5305 W. Gladys Ave., Chicago, Ill.

Filed June 9, 1958, Ser. No. 740,616 '4 Claims. (Cl. 22090) This invention relates generally to devices adapted to he associated with paint cans and the like, and more `specifically to a wiping surface and brush support cornbination.

Many devices in the eld of the prior art have attempted to provide wiping surfaces or brush supports adapted to -be positioned around the open edge of a paint can. 'Ihese devices while having great utility are still necessarily limited by problems which remain inherently because of their particular structural arrange` ments. a

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vdevice which will obviate the problems encountered in use with these prior devices and which will be welcomed by those familiar with the painting arts because of its many utilitarian features.

One of the problems encountered in working with a paintbrush is the degree with which the brushes become soiled above the actual brush member, on the handles thereof, resulting in slippery and/or oftentimes sticky surfaces. It is an object of the present invention to provide 'a device which, when properly used, will enable use "of a paint brush without this concurrent fouling of the handle thereof with paint.

As anyone conversant with the painting art is aware, it often becomes a problem to return paint which has been wiped off a brush into the can from which it was drawn, this excess paint often stagnating on the upper surfaces of the paint can or scraper devices which upon drying, causes a loss of paint, stickiness, and dripping down the sides of the paint can often onto various types of surfaces which it is desired to keep clean. Accordingly, it is one of the objects of the present'invention to provide means associated with a wiper surface for aiding in removing excess paint from a brush which has been dipped into a paint can, while at the same time facilitating its removal and draining therefrom back into the paint can, this action being aided by the tendency ofthe present structure to provide a break-up of surface tension in the paint.

. It has also been found that the instant device facilitates the removal and break-up of thickened paint which tends to accumulate on the upper portion of the bristles of a paint brush, causing this paint to be returned into the paint can while at the same time tending to break up such formulations of paint within the bristles themselves which, of course, keeps them resilient throughout the painting process.

Further objects of the invention include providing a `device which will prevent filling of the grooves on the top of customarily utilized cans with paint, while at the same time providing a ledge or flange-like surface which retards slopping or spilling of paint when the can is carelessly carried from one positionto another.

Another object of this invention is to provide a support for the bristle section of a paint brush maintaining the bristles within the paint can and below the upper surfaces thereof at an angle which tends to slowly drain paint from a brush placed thereon.

' 2,941,692 Patented June 21, 1960 Another object of the invention is to provide a wiping surface having an essentially straight wiping edge which uniformly removes paint from the bristles of a brush which is wiped thereacross.

Other objects are to produce a device of the instant type which is easily and inexpensively manufactured, which lends itself to be easily cleaned after use and which may be readily adapted in size to permit application to any of the commonly used can sizes.

These and other objects of the invention will be more apparent when considered in connection with the drawing wherein like numerals denote like parts throughout the figurese, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a generally isometric showing of the device;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View; and

Fig. 4 is a showing in section of the device taken across the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 denotes generally the detachable brush rest and wiping surface of the invention showing the generally circular configuration adapting it to be attached to ordinary cylindrically-shaped paint cans or the like. It should be understood that the principles of the invention may be utilized in combination with square, rectangular, or polysided `structures adapted to ht similarly formed openings in variously shaped cans, and while the invention has been `described in connection with its use with paint, it should be understood that. it has equal utility when used in connection with any type of liquid which is 'to be removed from its container by a brush or the like.

It will be seen from a further consideration of the drawings` that the instant device is adapted to be placed over the open end of a paint can, the outer diameter of which is substantitally equal to the inner diameter of vertical skirt 2 which has a retainer bead 3 annularly formed and inwardly projecting `from the inner surface of said vertical skirt member. This vertical skirt with its retaining bead firmly positions the device on the top of a can with the retainer bead 3 pressing against the outer surface of 4the outer wall of the container and cooperating with the bead which is usually1 found at the end peripheries of modern commercially accepted containersy to prevent unintended removal of tle device therefrom. t

At the upper end of vertical wall 2 there is provided a vertically extending retainer rim 4 which tends to prevent paint from running over wall 2 and down the sides of the container.

Extending inwardly from vertical wall 2 and at a downward angle of from two to sixY degrees from the horizontal is draining ledge 5 which presents an annular portion adapted to drain excess paint dropped thereon back into the container. Provided at the extreme inward edge of this annular draining member and extending substantially vertically downwardly therefrom is an annular flange 6 which extends completely around the inner periphery of said draining `edge except for that portion which is occupied by the draining Vand wiping ledge or wiping lip assembly generally indicated at 7. A

Wiping lip assembly 7 consists of a wiping lip 8 which is attachedto the inner edge of a portion of draining member 5 and which extends inwardly and downwardly therefrom at an angle of from approximately six to twelve degrees from horizontal. It will be seen that the inner edge 9 of this wiping lip 8 is substantially straight and extends across the opening formed by the inner, edge of draining ledge 5 forming a chorded segment therewith. t

Disposed upon the upper face of wiping lip 8 are conelike projections 10 disposed in a straight line which is substantially parallel with the edge 9 of lip 8. These wiping cones .10 are illustrative of one modification of the devicesince it should -be apparent that said cones could be provided inV two or more lines extending across the Iface of the lip. -Forr'ned in the upper vs-urfa'ce of wiping lip 8 are grooves 11 which extend substantially normally from the straight wiping edge 9I thereof Vback to the zone of contact of wiping lip 7 with flange 6, as it extends downwardly from draining edge '5.V As shown in the drawing, these grooves are positioned substantially-'midway between the cones 10 but it' should beobvious that two or more grooves could be so positioned. These 'grooves tend to break up the surface tension of a film of liquid which covers wiping lip 7 aiding in the owability thereof down the face of the wiping lip and back into Vthe can. This breakup of surface'tension is also aided by the concs 10 rising upwardly from the face of the wiping lip. i

Disposed in a position similar'to wiping assembly 8 on the other side of the draining ledge and extending'substantially parallel to the edge 9 ofwiping lip 8, is a brush support bar V15. This bar l5 is suspended from draining edge 5 by legs 16 which are extensions of ange 6 properly positioned so as to support said brush support bar 15 in the general position described. These legs 16 extend downwardly a substantial distance Ybeneath the plane forming the lower edges of the device so that the bristles of a brush resting thereon would tend to drain back into the can.

Thus, when the bristles ofthe paint brush are supportedA by the support bar 15, the handle or bristle retaining portion of thebrush will rest upon the tips of cones 10, keeping the handle surfaces of the brush away from wet paint which is draining down the upper face of draining lip 8. It should be noted that the brush support bar so positioned will accommodate standa-rd sized-'brushes up to the maximum internal diameter of the can opening minus approximately one-quarter inch.

The device is easily formed by commonly known expedients such as injection or compression molding, orY

vacuum forming, thus suiting it particularly lto be composed of plastic material, preferably polyethylene which is somewhat pliable, thus aiding in the positioning of the device over theopening of a can. The device thus formed is readily adapted to be. cleaned by wiping or dipping with any of the commonly used paint solvents. Thus, the device can be easily and inexpensively manufactured and ma'y be easily cleaned by the user. Often, however, the device is found to be so inexpensive in manufacturethat it can be discarded completely after use,

Operation The device is adapted to be slipped over the top of a can, the cover of which has been removed'previously, and will be heldin place upon-saidcan by the cooperation of retaining bead 3 and wall 2 with the side and normally present rim of a can of paint or Vthe like. When so positioned, a brush may be easily inserted into the liquid through theopening presented in the device, after'which the brush is generally wiped across the wiping edge 9 of wiping lip S-and/ or the cones presented thereon. Thus, a controlled amount of paint is .allowed to remain in the brush, the excess of which readily breaks up anddrains back into the receptacle. When itis desired to stop painting, the brush support bar provides a handy means tokeep the bristles of the paint-brush in a slightly draining position, thus obviating the necessity of providing additional papers orthe like to protect the brush yfrom picking up dirt, foreign particles. and the-like which are normally present on the ground or other surfaces.u By draining slowly the bristles are prevented from becoming caked.

with semi-dry paint and remain pliable andsoftyA AtY the saine time the handle ofthebrush is maintained in a substantially clean condition due-to the-fact that its handle rests upon the tips of cones 10 which, by reason of their being placed upon angled wiping lip 8 are adapted to maintain the brush handle disposed from contact with any paint which may be draining back down draining edge 5 or wiping lip 8 back into the ca'n. t

While the invention has been described in connection with different embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of'further modification,V and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come known or customary practice in the art to which thetinvention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A brush support and wiping device comprising aver-i tical-walled skirt adapted to surround the upper periphery of a container, a draining ledge connected to the upper area of said skirt near the edge thereof-and extending inwardly and downwardly therefrom-at an angle of from approximately two to approximately six degrees frmfthe horizontal, a substantially vertical flange extending downwardly from the inner edge of said draining ledge, a brush support bar suspended at each end from said draining ledge by legs which are integral downward extensions vof said vertical flange, a draining and .wiping ledge disposedV oppositely Vto said support bar having a straightV wipingv edge substantially parallel therewith, said drainingy and wiping ledge integrally secured to said draining ledge and extending inwardly and downwardly therefrom at an angle of from approximately s ix to ,approximately twelve degrees from the horizontal,` upwardly extendingprojections on said draining and wiping ledge to supportthe handle of a brush substantiallyrabove the draining' surface of said drainage and wiping ledge, and inwardly extending grooves in said draining and wiping ledge e 4. A brush support and wiping device comprising a verjtical-walled skirt adapted to surround the upper per1ph-' ery of a container, a draining ledge connected'to the upper area of said skirt near the edge thereof and extending inwardly and downwardly therefrom; a brush support bar connected at each end to the inner edge ofsaiddraining ledge and suspended ltherefrom by connectingV Y legs, a draining and wiping ledge disposed oppositely to said support bar having a wiping edge substantially parallel therewith, said draining yand vwiping ,ledgeV integrally secured to said draining ledge and-extending inwardly and` downwardly therefrom, handle supporting means on sa1d draining and wiping ledge comprising a plurality ofiupwardly extending cone-shaped segments formed integrally with said draining and wiping ledge,-said. cone-shaped segments being disposed ina line which is substantially parallel to the brush support bar, and meansrongsaizd draining and wiping ledge to facilitate theiow of hguld therefrom comprising grooves in said draining and wlplngledge extending substantially normally to said wlping edge and which extends substantially from said wiping edge to the inner edge of said draining ledge. ,t t t References Citedin the le of this patent Y UNITED STATES PATENTS Long r May 13, 1947 EisenbergV- Nov. 21, 1939` wennen Apr. 1, 1952- 

